Electrical switch



INVENTQR4 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY i ,ATTORNEY B. J. PEPPER ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed July 22, 1929 June 21, 1932.

June 2l, 1932.

B. J. PEPPER ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed July 22, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 al. n

@ mvENToR BY MMM ATTORNEY June 2l, 1932. B. J. PEPPER ELEcTnrcAL swITca s sheets-'sheet s Filed July 22, 1929 INVENTOR v ATTORNEY Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BYRON J. PEPPER, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO TOKHEIM OIL TANK AND PUMP COMPANY, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA ELECTRICAL SWITCH Appmation mea July 22,

This invention relates to improvements in an electrical switch of the quick closing andl quick opening type, and the objects thereof are: First, to provide a switch whereby the contacting member for the terminal leads is closed and opened b snap action, and the tendency of arcing lietween the contacting points of said member and terminals is reduced to a minimum, or practically eliminated; second, to provide a switch structure wherein the contact member is applied to the lead terminals firmly and instantly, and to quickly and widely separate the contact member from the terminals when the operating member is moved to open position; third, to

rovide in an electrical switch an automatically operated latch whereby the closing or opening movement of the contact member is deferred, and to provide in connection with the operating plunger means for the development of stored spring pressure, during en gagement of the latch and operating movements of the plunger, to be subsequently applied in movin the contact member accordmgly upon re ease of the plunger by the latch; and fourth, to provide in connection with the operating member for a switch, means of developing stored spring pressure, upon movement of the operating member,

and an automatically operated latch control-- ling said pressure in its application to the mechanism for movingthe contactor of the switch.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electrical switch that is highly eficient in its operations and capable of withstanding extensive usage without impair-y ment.

These objects are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a switch structure in normal open position, in which the invention is embodied, parts being cut away and in section;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view projected from Fig. 1, the guide bracket being in section;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the structure showing the latch engaging the plunger and 1929. Serial No. 379,977.

detaining it against closing movement, parts being cut away Fi 4 is a slmilar fragmentary view showing t e latch as it is releasing the plunger;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofthe structure with the parts disposed as immediately after the plunger is released b the latch, and connection between the lea terminals is made by the contactor.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the parts disposed as when the o erating member has reached the end of its c osing stroke;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the structure showing the latch engaging the plunger, detaining it against qpening movement, parts being cut away; an

Fig. 8 is a similar fragmentary view showing the latch as it is releasing the plunger .during the opening movement thereof.

The structure comprises a base-plate 1 having attached thereto a u-shaped guide bracket 2, the lower end of which is a rtured and through which .extends a movab e cylindrical plunger 3 having at its upper end a pair of spaced annular shoulders ,4 and 5. In the plate 1 are mounted lead terminals 6 and 7 for electrical circuits, the terminals being insulated from the plate by suitable non-conductors 6 and 7 respectively. A contactor for said terminals is provided consisting of bars 8 provided with studs 9 that roject movably through a frame 10 spaced) -said bars, there being compression springs 1l disposed between the frame and bars, and a head 12 on the endof each stud 9 to limit relative movement apart between the bars and frame. The frame 10 made of insulating material has oppositely disposed lugs 13 and 14 which lugs are connected respectively with a lever 15 and link 16 that have pivotal support in the guide bracket 2 and swing in parallel relation with each other. The lever 15 extends between the shoulders 4 and 5 so that as the plunger 3 is moved vertically, the lever is tilted accordingly upon its fulcrum 17. The operating member consists of a push-rod 18 having a tubular head 19 ixed on its top and an annular shoulder 20 fixed on its lower end, which rod has also an annular ledge 21 between its ends, that has longitudinal play in an internal bearing 22 in the plunger 3 into which lungen the push-rod extends. .['he push-r has gluded movement in the plunger by the shoulder 20 and the ledge 21 which loosely fit therein, and has also guided movement in the plate 1 through which the upper part of the rod loosely extends. A thimble 23 is loosely mounted on the rod 18 beneath the led e and has engagement with the lower end t ereof and also with the lower end of the internal bearing 22,` there being a compresslon sprin 24 around the rod between the thimble an the shoulder 20 tending to sustain the thimble in its uppermost position. Another thimble 25 is loosely mounted upon the rod 18 above the ledge 21 and has engagement with the upper ends of'said ledge and the bearing 22, there being a second compression spring 26 around the rod betweenthe thimble 25 and a ilange 27 that is Ixed upon the rod beneath the plate 1, which spring tends to hold the corresponding thimble in its lowermost position respecting the rod. The flange 27 limits the upwardl movement. of the push-rod 18 by having contact with the lower face of the plate 1, and has operative relation with a cam 28 that is fixed on the upper end of a lock lever 29, whereby said lever is permitted to swing inwardly through the vaction of a sprin 30 applied thereto, or is forced outward y in opposition to said spring 30 accordingly as the push-rod is actuatedn A compression spring 31 is disposed about the upper end of the push-rod 18 and its tubular extension, between the plate 1 andan enlargement 32 at the top of said extension, which spring tends to hold the operating member in its uppermost or normal position.

A latch 33 is fixed on the lock lever 29 and is adapted to be projected, uponinward movement of said lever, into the path of the shoulder 4 on the plunger and have engagement therewith so as to arrest vertical movement of the plun er during the first portions of the closing an opening movements of the push-rod, and to be moved out of en agement with said shoulder and release sai lunger through opposite action of the loc lever. The cam 28 is so formed that the lock lever is held in its outermost position while the push-rod is in its uppermost and lowermost positions, and the lock lever is moved inwardly and outwardly during its intermediate stages of closing and opening actions. Thus, as the lock lever is moved inwardly the latch engages the shoulder 4 and arrests movement of the plunger until released by the subsequent outward movement of the lock lever.

The switch structure herein disclosed is an example of the invention, and is .subject to such modifications as may be made by the exercise of skill whereby to adapted the invention to the particular use intended.

In the present example, two pairs of lead terminals 6--7 are shown disposed to be connected respectively by corresponding contactor bars arranged upon a common frame 10 so as to. act simultaneously to close or open the circuits for which the respective pairs of terminals are provided.

In the operation of the invention, the lead terminals are connected up in the usual manner with corresponding circuits (not shown) to be controlled by the switch, which circuits are closed when the contactor engages the terminals and are o ened when the contactor is withdrawn there rom, the contactor being normally in open position, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon downward movement of the pus rod 18 by pressure manually applied, the plunger 3 and the flan e 27 thereon are progressed downwardly. gI`he flange 27, a inst which the cam 28 on the lock lever 29 ears, in the lirst portion of its downward stroke, permits inward movement of the lever and the latch 33 thereon, whereupon the latch intercepts the plunger by engagement beneath the shoulder 4 thereon, as shown in Fig. 3. As the` push-rod is further rogressed downwardly, it slides correspondingy in the plunger causing compression of the spring 26, the thimble 25 being detained by the bearing 22 in said plunger. Durin further downward movement of the us -rod the cam 28 is moved outwardly b t e action of the flange 27, causing outwar movement of the lever 29 and latch 33 (Fig. 4) and consequent release of the plunger from the latch, whereupon the plunger, impelled by the spring 26, is thrust ownwardly relative to the push-rod, causing action of the lever 15 by which the contactor is closed against the terminals. (Fig. 5). When the plun er reaches the end of its downward stroke ig. 6) the spring 26 is further compressed, caus` ing increased downward pressure on the plunger and corresponding upward movement, through the medium of thevlever l5, of the frame 10, which movement compresses the springs 11 against the bars 8. Thus, the

`contactor is ressed firmly and with more or less uniform orce against the terminals thereby enhancing ellicient closing of the circuits.

The switch is opened by relieving the manually applied pressure from the push-rod which thereupon retracts toward its normal Bosition through expansion of the spring 3l.'

uring the first ortion of the upward stroke of the pushro the corresponding rise of the flange 27 permits the cam 28, lock-lever 29 and latch 33 to swing inwardly to the extent that the latch proJects across the path of the shoulder 4 over the top thereof, where` by upward movement of the plunger is arreste (Fig. 7), and upon further upward progress the push-rod moves relative to the plunger causmg compression of the spring 24, the t imble 23 being detained by the bear l cn ing 22 in said plun er. During the completion of the upwa stroke of' the push-roti, the cam 28 is moved outwardly through the action of the flange 27, causing outward movement of the lever 29 Iand latch 33 (Fig. 8), and consequent release of the plun er from the latch, whereupon the plunger, lmpelled by the spring 24, is thrust upwardly relative to the push-rod, causing action of the lever 15 by which the contactor is withdrawn from the terminals to its normal or open position (Fig. 1).

The parts of the appliance are so constructed, proportioned and arranged that the conl tactor is normally held spaced a substantial distance from the terminals, and is brought suddenly into closed relation with said terminals, and suddenly removed therefrom by manipulation of the push-rod whereby arcing of the current in the operation of the switch is obviated.

During the latter portion of the opening the movement of the contactor, due to its momentum, the plunger is caused to move upwardly be ond its normal position on the push-rod an compress the spring 26 which has the effect of cushioning the opening action of the contactor. This is beneficial in that the shock incidental to the opening movement of the contactor upon its supporting connections is more orsless absorbed by the spring 26, and thus the life of the apparatus 1s prolonged.

What I claim is 1. An electric switch consisting of a base having a guide bracket; a spring restrained push-rod supported in said base, which rod has thereon a ledge spaced from its ends; a cylindrical plunger guided in said bracket and provided with an internal bearing in which said ledge has sliding movement, and having also an external annular shoulder; an annular flange fixed on said push-rod at a point thereon spaced 'from said ledge; movable thimbles on said rod, each provided with a flange at one end, which thimbles have engagement with the corresponding ends of said ledge and bearing; a compression spring for each thimble, operatively related with the rod, tending to hold the thimble against the ledge and bearing; a spring-pressed lock lever having a cam operatively en aged with the ange on said rod, and a latc engageable with the shoulder on said plunger; spaced circuit terminals fixed on said base;

and a movably supported contactor for said terminals actuated by said plunger, said cam being shaped so that the plunger is intercepted and subsequently released by the latch during the closing and opening actions of the switch. y

2. An electric switch having circuit terminals `and a movably mounted contactor therefor, and having a plunger operably connected with said contactor, provided with a shoulder and a bearing; a spring restrained push-rod provided with a ledge that slides 1n said bearing; thimbles movably mounted on said rod disposed oppositely thereon with respect to said ledge, which thimbles have engagement with the corresponding ends of said ledge and bearing; a spring for each thimble, operatively related with the rod, and tending to hold the thimble against the ledge and bearing; a flange on said push-rod; and a spring-pressed lock lever having a cam operatively engaged by the flange on said rod, and a latch engageable with the shoulder on said plunger, said cam being shaped so that movement of the plunger is intercepted and subsequently released by the latch during the operations, of the push-rod, for

closing and opening of the switch.

3. Actuating means for the terminal contactor of an electric switch, consisting of a plunger movably mounted and having a fixed bearing therein; a longitudinally movable push-rod having thereon spaced from its ends a ledge with which said bearing has sliding relation; thimbles movably mounted on said rod disposed oppositely with respect to said ledge, which thimbles have engagement with the corresponding ends of said ledge and bearing; a spring for each thimble, operatively related with the rod and tending to hold the thimbles against the ledge and bearing and thereby yieldingly sustain said push-rod and plunger in their normal relative positions; means operably relating 'said plunger and contactor; a lock mechanism having a latch engageable with said plunger; and means associated with'the rod and mechanism lfor actuating said mechanism upon operation of the push-rod in each direction whereby the latch is moved and the plunger intercepted thereby and subsequently released therefrom during the operations of the pushrod, for closing and opening of the switch. v

4. Actuating means for the terminal contactor of an electric switch, consisting of a movable plunger; means operably relating said plunger and contactor; a push-rod having relative longitudinal movement respecting said plunger; oppositely disposed spring pressed thimbles operab-ly related with the push-rod and engageable with the plunger, arranged so as to yieldingly restrain relative movement of the push-rod and plunger in each direction; a lock mechanism having a latch engageable with said plunger; and means operably relating the push-rod and said lock mechanism so constructed that upon operation of the push-rod in either direction said plunger is intercepted and subsequently released by the latch.

5. Actuating means for the terminal contactor of an electric switch, consisting of a push-rod; a plunger mechanism operatively .connected with said contactor and having l Leonce spring restrained relative longitudinal movement with respectto said push-rod in both directions; a lock mechanism engage'able with said plunger and having a cam; and '5 means on the push-rod engaging said cam for actuating said mechanism, said cam being shaped so that movement of the plunger is intercepted and subsequently released by said mechanism during each operation of the m*push-rod from one of its extreme positions to the other.

6.` In an electric switch of the class described, circuit terminals and a contactor' mechanism therefor, a longitudinally mov-t able plunger for actuating said mechanism; a push-rod associated with said plunger and having relative longitudinal movement therein; means restraining said movement yieldingly in both directions; and a locking means controlled by the push-rod so that the plunger upon movement thereof is intercepted and subsequently released when operated by the push-rod in each direction,\whereby action of the plunger is deferred and then accelerated with respect to that of the push-rod.

In an appliance of the class described, an electric switch having circuit terminals and a contactor mechanism therefor provided 30. with a plunger; a push-rod longitudinally movable in said plunger; means `yieldingly restraining longitudinal movement of the push-rod relative to the plunger in both directions; and a locking means controlledby 35* the push-rod disposed so as to be moved into l engagement with and subsequently release the plunger during operation of the push-rod in each direction, whereby action of thel plunger is arrested and then accelerated with 40 respect to that of the push-rod.

8. An electric switch, comprising a supporting base having a bracket; circuit terminals on the base; a movable terminal contactor having oppositely disposed lugs; an

. 45 actuating lever connected pivotally to the bracket and one of said lugs; a link spaced from and extending parallel with said lever and connected pivotally to said bracket and the other of said lugs; and a plunger mech- 50 anism operatively related with said lever.

In testimony whereof I aiix my si ature.

BYRON J. PEP ER. 

